Ten Short Stories To Read Right Now

These golden pieces of literature are some of the best out there. Check them out- you won't regret it.

"Daisy Miller" by Henry James

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This novella is a brilliant portrayal of what people think of Americans abroad. Also, the titular character is a slut.

"Araby" by James Joyce

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This story is about a boy's first love and his realization that loss is inevitable. The great thing about this story is that its themes are so universal that everyone can relate to it.

"Notes From the Underground" by Fydor Dostoevsky

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Hailed as the King of Novellas, "Notes" is an intriguing tale about a man who is so morally and socially damaged that he has to shun himself from other people.

"The Garden Party" by Katherine Mansfield

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"The Garden Party" is the story that ignited my passion for short literature. It's damn near perfect. Brimming with themes that will always prominent in the world, Mansfield beautifully tells the tale of Laura Sheridan planning her first event as a hostess. When an unexpected death threatens the party, Laura is faced with conflicting social and moral problems. It also pay homage to a popular Greek myth.

"Signs and Symbols" by Vladimir Nabokov

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Leave it to Nabokov to make you heartbroken. This quick short story is about the fate of an aging couple and their challenged son. This story blew my mind because its ending is ambiguous; but, if you think about it, you'll know what happened. *tear* And if you haven't, read Lolita by Nabokov. It's the best example of an unreliable narrator ever.

"Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway

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Papa Hemingway knew how to start drama. This story has been the center of literary debate since its publication. Why are "the American" and "the girl" having issues? What is "the procedure?" Using his awesome Iceberg Theory to write this, all of the answers to your questions lie in between the words. Also, read The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway. It's the perfect example of life changing literature.

"Bullet in the Brain" by Tobias Wolff

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With its intense point of view and narrative structure, "Bullet in the Brain" is Wolff's most popular story. It's got all the elements of a fantastic story: a robber, a smart ass, and the best flashback in literature.

"A Good Man Is Hard To Find" by Flannery O'Conor

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WARNING: This story is crazy. This is the first story that made me gasp in horror. It features a racist grandmother and a guy named "The Misfit." Possibly the Queen of the Short Story, O'Connor's talent is attributed to her use of tension, it slowly builds as the story progresses, and, at the end it explodes releasing insanity all over. She's also known for her use of the grotesque. She's not afraid to show the ugly truth. If you like this one, read "Everything That Rises Must Converge" and "Good Country People." Those are just as amazing.

"A Perfect Day For Banana Fish" by J.D.Salinger

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This story is a shocking portrayal of PTSD and has one of the most iconic endings in literature. I said WTF as soon as I read the final line. This story is a little creepy when you read it the first time, but read it again and you'll get another interpretation. That's how you know you've read something brilliant: when you can only swear upon finishing and every time you read it, you get something new from it.

"What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" by Raymond Carver

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Oh, Raymond Carver. This is my all time favorite short story. It starts off with four friends getting drunk together; and as they slowly become more intoxicated, they begin to define what love means to them. This story finishes with one of the most powerful images in literature- one that sends shivers down my spine and tears to my eyes. If you read any of these stories, make sure you at least read this. My favorite quote in literature comes from this story: "It ought to make us feel ashamed when we act like we know what we're talking about when we talk about love." That right there, is powerful, moving literature.

Honorable mentions:

"Hema and Kaushik" by Jhumpa Lahiri

"Cathedral" by Raymond Carver

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

"Brokeback Mountain" by Annie Prolux

"Happy Endings" by Margaret Atwood